Washington (CNN) – Victories in New Jersey and Virginia Tuesday provided a major shot in the arm for the Republican Party heading into the 2010 elections, but the Democratic losses of these two governorships should not be interpreted as a significant blow to President Obama.

While the economy and jobs were the chief concern for voters in both states, 26 percent of New Jersey residents said property taxes was also a major issue, while another 20 percent mentioned corruption, according to CNN exit polling. In a similar CNN survey taken in Virginia, health care was the most important issue for 24 percent of the voters, while 15 percent named taxes and transportation was mentioned by 7 percent.

Further proof that this election was not solely focused on Obama, 56 percent of Virginians said that the president was not a factor when it came down to their vote. In New Jersey, that number increased to 60 percent of the people who went to the polls on Tuesday.

soundoff(154 Responses)

WE are the ones we've been waiting for and WE showed them last night that We are here to take back our country! Keep making it easy for us dems.

November 4, 2009 12:48 pm at 12:48 pm |

worriedmom

You Lie! If you had been watching Fox News, you would have seen "Live from Richmond" a group of people, all parties, being asked why they voted the way they did. You would have found out that Obama and his gang are very much the reason why voters went the way they did. People are tired of Big Government, this push for Healthcare, all the spending.
You guys keep spinning the way you want it to be and you will always remain last in ratings. Start being on the people's side and drooling over your "Chosen Leader"

November 4, 2009 12:48 pm at 12:48 pm |

Barry In Las Vegas

Obama worked especially hard to keep NJ in the Blue column to the point that his people took over running the election. He made 3 trips with 5 stops.

Losing NJ is a big blow to Obama and a rejection of his policies. The message in Virginia and NJ is the people want him to pay attention to the economy – not health care which was polled last in both states.

Obama has no coattails and if the Dems keep following him, they will go off the cliff in 2010.

November 4, 2009 12:49 pm at 12:49 pm |

Bill Cox

I can assure you these elections were a referendum on President Obama. I like the way CNN keeps referring to exit polls. Don't you know by now, if the folks had said yes to the question leaving the polls, they would have been called a raceist. Believe and spin it like you want, but Washington better start listening to the people. This goes for Democrats as well as Republicans. Finally, America is waking up.